Splitting Hairs over Meat on Fridays During Lent

[Rainaldo]

I thought I would make lentil soup tonight for this Lenten Friday, but the recipe calls for a half gallon of chicken broth, which I suppose I’ll make from powdered bouillon.

Is lentil soup made with chicken broth considered “meat” for the purposes of Friday Lenten abstinence?

 

[JimmytheButcher]

I thought I would make lentil soup tonight for this Lenten Friday, but the recipe calls for a half gallon of chicken broth, which I suppose I’ll make from powdered bouillon.

Is lentil soup made with chicken broth considered “meat” for the purposes of Friday Lenten abstinence?

Broth does not constitute meat in the absolute sense and is permitted.

In periods of abstinence from meat in the passed I have learnt to build quite a nice root vegetable broth.

Scarola, garlic, and mint makes a very nice broth.

 

[TheDoctor]

Here is a reference I found that lays it out: americancatholic.org/features/lent/lentrules.aspx

 

[SwizzleStick]

I thought I would make lentil soup tonight for this Lenten Friday, but the recipe calls for a half gallon of chicken broth, which I suppose I’ll make from powdered bouillon.

Is lentil soup made with chicken broth considered “meat” for the purposes of Friday Lenten abstinence?

These threads might be helpful to you:

Does beef broth break the Lenten meat abstinence?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=103680

Is Chicken Broth bad for the soul?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=433077

How detailed are you supposed to be when abstaining from meat?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=428403

 

[corsair]

Check here for Fasting rules in the church throughout the years. Interesting site.
newadvent.org/cathen/05789c.htm

God Bless

 

[MissRose73]

I presume this rule also covers gravy as well, correct?

 

[mattkubes]

You’re right, the new rules really are splitting hairs. That’s why broths and gravies made from meat were always forbidden in the past - I fail to see how this relaxation of the rules (among many) helps anyone to grow spiritually.

 

[thequeen]

I know someone in our Parish who has a lentel soup recipe that uses either beef or chicken broth I forget but it is really good but during Lent she uses vegetable broth and it is just as good.

 

[Holly3278]

Just a quick question but chicken noodle soup does violate the fast, right? I mean, it does contain chicken although they are very tiny pieces of chicken in the chicken noodle soup I eat.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Just a quick question but chicken noodle soup does violate the fast, right? I mean, it does contain chicken although they are very tiny pieces of chicken in the chicken noodle soup I eat.

According to what I read posted by CAF Apologist, Michelle Arnold, at the link below, no. But, I personally wouldn’t eat it. I didn’t eat French onion soup on Ash Wednesday and this past Friday for the reason that even though it doesn’t have bits of meat in it, it does have a very rich beef broth. Having it would have seemed to me like not truly observing abstinence, so I didn’t have it.

Does beef broth break the Lenten meat abstinence?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=103680

 

[Bob_Aliano]

If you have to ask and wonder, don’t eat it!

 

[ingoodfaith]

What is the real meaning of giving up meat for Lent? Why do we give up things for Lent?

If we say that we really like something but we are giving it up for Lent then we have a small portion of the thing, then we are not really giving it up.

It is not the rules that need to be so stringent but it is the giving of the person that needs to be so large.

For example if I give up meat all lent then I will not eat anything with meat at all, period. But that is me, others may have a more difficult time. But we must remember why we are doing this…it is in respect for Jesus and His death and resurecttion for our souls.

 

[Rainaldo]

If you have to ask and wonder, don’t eat it!

That’s a recipe for scrupulosity.